Angels Belong In The Outfield Series

Today we live in a profoundly spiritual culture. Now when I say spiritual, I do not necessarily mean that we are talking about Christianity, but rather that there seems to be a new cult or group starting every day. Some people are seeking meaning and direction in life. Others are simply looking for a way to justify what they are already doing.

Well, there is nothing new in how quickly people get off track spiritually. It is rather quite easy. We do not have all the answers and we are so easily impressed with ourselves and parlor tricks. And the reality is that there are powerful spiritual beings at work even today. And, they can put on quite a show.

Well angels have a prominent place in the Bible. They are the ones who handed Moses the Law. Galatians 3:19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. Well the Hebrews obviously had a great reverence for angels. They respected angels and in a sense gave greater prominence to angels than even to prophets.

There was a popular movie called “Angels in the Outfield.” Well today, I want to say that the elect angels are on God’s team and on our team, but that they belong in the outfield and Jesus Christ belongs center stage as the star player on the mound. And you and I belong on Jesus’ team because as believers we hold a much higher place on God’s roster than even the angels.

Would you please stand as we read God’s Word:

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"?

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God’s angels worship him."

7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."

8 But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."

10 He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.

12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."

13 To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

TO A GET A WIN IN THE ETERNAL LIFE COLUMN, YOU’VE GOT TO FOLLOW THE REAL LEADER:

First,

I. DON’T BE DISTRACTED BY THE SUPPORTING CAST. (5-8)

There are people who would rather pray to angels than to Jesus. They would rather think about what angels do for them than what God does for them. And then Satan has tricked us to think that angels are in a higher place than we are. PSALM 8:4-5. We are made a little lower than God and the angels serve us. We have been given dominion over the earth and the animals. Satan is simply a usurper it is not his position. GK Chesterson’s comment is so true, “Whatever else may be said, man is not what he is intended to be.”

That is why Jesus also had to come to earth, not simply to atone for our sin, but to restore Mankind to its rightful place in God’s plan

A. JESUS HOLDS THE PREEMINENT POSITION. (5-6)

We have the term FIRST BORN of all creation used in this passage in most translations. Now a number of cults take this verse and go way out in left field to say, “See Jesus was created. He is born and became a god.” Well, that is why it is important to be in a Bible teaching church, where we study not simply what the English words are, but also the history surrounding when the Bible was written and the meaning of the original languages (Greek here) in its original setting. However, we must realize that the underlying Word here does not talk about labor and delivery, but rather legal position and title. You could be the 7th born child, but if dad wanted you to inherit the family business he would give you the title “PROTOTOKOS” which is the word we translate first born. Once the title was transferred, all power and authority goes with that title, no matter when you were birthed.